TJ Maxx Stores In Puerto Rico Are Closed, But Employees Are Still Getting Paid

It’s been nearly two months since Hurricane Maria ravaged the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico and several nearby islands, and even though much of the area remains decimated and has limited power, TJX — the parent company of TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Homegoods — continues to pay its employees in Puerto Rico.

“Based on the devastating situation in Puerto Rico, we can confirm that we have continued to pay our TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods Associates on the island,” a spokesperson for TJX told People in a statement. “We believe it is the right thing for us to do under these circumstances.”

The company’s kindness and desire to do the “right thing” wasn’t part of some big PR move either. In fact, TJX’s generosity was first mentioned in a Facebook post from last month that has since gone viral. In the post, which was written in Spanish, a man named Iván Meléndez says he was worried about his son who lives in Puerto Rico. Meléndez’s son apparently told him not to worry because he was still being paid by Marshalls despite not being able to work.

“Thanks to the stores for such an honorable gesture,” Meléndez wrote. “From now on I’m going to sponsor this network even more.”

According to The Boston Globe, there are 29 TJX-owned stores in Puerto Rico, and workers at each of them are still receiving paychecks, though it’s uncertain how many stores, if any, are currently open. The publication also notes TJX, which is based in Massachusetts, has supplied employees with necessary food and water as Puerto Rico continues to recover.

In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Maria, many corporations and high-powered individuals donated large sums of money and much-needed supplies to the relief effort. Still, it’s good to see some companies are keeping in mind that the recovery will take years to complete, so ensuring people have a livable wage for as long as possible is crucial.